Candle socket



Ewan/.N JCLLYL JL. L?

2 Sheets-Sheet l K. K. NIELSEN CANDLE SOCKET Filed July 8, 1931 Nov. 6,`1934.

NOV. '6, 1934. K K, NlELSEN 1,979,339 I CANDLE SOCKET Fld July 8, 1931 h2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 J3. Mmm/m54 Patented Nov. 6, 1934 PATENT OFFICECANDLE SOCKET .Karl K. Nielsen, Chicago, Ill., assignor to AlcorManufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation `of rIllinoisApplication July 8, 1931, Serial No. 549,346 15 claims. (o1. 17e- 354)lThis invention relates to electric lamp sockets and more particularly tothe type known as candle sockets.

Itis an object of the invention to provide `a candle socket and switchmechanism therefor of improved and simpliedconstruction and compactarrangement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a socket with a metallicframe having atswitch and switch-actuating mechanism, and means formingwith` the switch an electric circuit independently of and totallyinsulated from the frame and the `switch-actuating mechanism.

` A further object of the invention is to provide a candle socket havingan improved pull-chain switch wherein the parts are arranged so that thechain is at all times effectually insulated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a switch socketwherein the parts are secured together simply and eiectually and in amanner such as to facilitate assembly.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following'description and from the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical view in `elevation of a switch socket embodyingthe features of this invention. A candle-simulating tube concealing thesocket is shown in section. l

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the socket looking from the right inFig. 1 withthev bracket partially broken away.

. Fig. 3 is an elevational View of the socket looking from the rear ofFig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View plane of line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental view showing the chainsupporting segment rotatedand engaging its stop. j j

Fig. 6 is a fragmental `vertical sectional view taken approximately inthe plane Ofline 6 Of Fig. l.. j

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the bracket.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the oscillatory actuating member.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the toothed switch disk.

Fig.-10 is a perspective View `of the conducting sheath forthe tootheddisk.

taken in the Fig. 11 is a side elevational View of an insulating washer.

Fig. 12` is a perspective view of a disk forming a part ofthe ratchetconnectionbetween the toothed disk `and the oscillatoryl member.

Fig. 13 is aperspective' view of a conductor constituting `part of thecircuit of the socket.

l Fig. 14 is a `view` taken approximately in the plane of line 14-14 ofFig. 1.

For purposes ofA illustration, the invention is here shown as` embodiedin a candle socket of the pull-chain type generally disclosed in mypending application Serial No. 342,332, filed February 25, 1929 of whichthis application is a continuation in part.

Thebody of the socket is composed of a twopart extensible metallicframe, the upper portion of which is formed by anlinverted U-shapedmember 20 having a pair of substantially parallel legs 21 and 22. Theselegs are channel shaped in transverse cross-section (see Fig. 14) andare connected at their upper end by an in- .tegral web `23 centrallyapertured. At their lower. ends,` the legs 21, 22 are made rigid by aweb 24 havinglugs 25 projecting through the legs and clinched. on theoutside` thereof.` The web 24. iscircular n outline and is cut away atdiametrically opposite portions to receive the legs. It is also cut.away at the intermediate portions (see Fig. 14) to provide forthe leadwires of the socket. The remaining projecting portions provide shouldersfor supporting a candle simulating tube 26 encasing the socket.

Adjustably secured to `the ends of the legs is the lower part of theframe which is-formed by an upright `U-shaped member 27 having atubular-intermediate portion 28 threaded internally to be screwed onto afixture. The legs of the upright member 27 are slidable in the channelsofthe legs 21 and 22 and are held against withdrawal ,by means of bolts29 projecting through longitudinal slots 30 formed in the legs of theupright member. Itis thus apparent that the frame of the socket is asimple open structure easily made and assembled and wholly free ofeasily breakable material.

Supported at the upper end of the frame is a vlamp-recrzeiving shell 31,the base of which is -formed by an Vinwardly projecting annular flange34a as `is the web. The shell and the frame are thus made rigid byclamping the flange 32 and the web 23 between the washers which in turninsulate the rivet, the shell and the frame from each other. The rivetalso acts as the center contact of the socket, the other contact beingformed by the shell 31.

With the frame constructed wholly of metal, grounding of the socketthrough the fixture is very possible, and precaution must be taken toavoid such an occurrence. To that end the electric circuit of the socketis here composed of means wholly independent of the frame which`supports them but which is well insulated therefrom.

The shell 31, which as'stated forms one contact of the socket and thusconstitutes a part of the circuit, has riveted directly thereto aconducting strip 36 (Fig. 6) disposed at right angles to the frame legs21, 22 (Fig. 3) said strip extending downwardly so as to terminate justshort of the web 24. At its lower end, the strip 36 carries a.wire-securing screw 37 constituting one terminal for the attachment ofthe lead wires which are brought into the socket through the tubularportion 28.

The other wire terminal of the socket is disposed directly opposite theterminal 37 and is supported by the web 24. This terminal comprises aright-angled strip 33 having an upright portion 39 carrying a wiresecuring screw 40, and a. horizontal portion 41 extending parallel withthe web 24 but spaced therefrom by a sheet 42 of insulation.

Forming part of the switch for the circuit is a spring contact 43 (Fig.6) projecting upwardly into the space between the legs 21, 22. Thiscontact has a horizontal portion 44 immediately overlying the terminalportion 41. To secure the spring contact 43 and the strip 41in position,a sheet 45 of insulation is placed on top of the horizontal portion andthe entire group fixed to the web 24 by a single rivet 46. In order thatthe rivet 46 may not come in contact with the' horik zontal portion ofeither the strip 38 or the spring contact 43, both are formed with anopening substantially larger than the diameter of the rivet 46 and awasher 47 of insulating material'whose thickness isequal to the combinedthickness of both horizontal portions is inserted between the rivet 46and the horizontal portions. Here again the circuit is effectivelyinsulated from the frame and a simple and uniquey mounting provided forthe terminal.

Completing the stationary portion of the circuit between the centercontact 35 and the terminal 39, 41 is a conductor 48 (see Figs. 1, 6 and13) particularly shaped for use in a socket of the type here described.The conductor 48 is formed with a horizontal portion 49 adapted to bepositioned within the shell 31 and secured bythe rivet 35 which projectsthrough one end of the portion 49 and is in electrical contacttherewith. The portion 49 of the conductor within the shell 31 lies ontop of the washer 34 and is thus insulated from the flange 32, while theshell 31 proper is cut away at 50 to permit the conductor to projectoutwardly of the shell. At the circumference of the shell 31, theconductor is bent downwardly and laterally to extend into the spacedeiined by the frame members 21, 22. The free end of the conductor 48terminates in an annular ring 51 lying in a plane parallel with the leg21 and spaced therefrom by a sheet 52 of insulation. The sheet 52 ofinsulation is of a width approximately equal to the diameter of thesocket, and of a length'such as to extend between the washers 34a and 45(Fig. 4).

Interposed between the annular ring 51 and the spring contact 43 is arotary switch member mounted on a shaft 53 extending transversely of thelegs 21, 22 of the frame. In the present instance, the switch membercomprises a fourtoothed disk 54l (Fig. 9) of insulating materialcarrying a sheath 55 (Fig. 10) of conducting material partially encasingthe disk. The sheath 55 is composed of an annular ring 56, conforming insize to the ring 51 of the conductor, and arcuate flanges 57 coveringthe peripheral surface of alternate teeth of the disk. Both rings havean inner circumference large enough to be eiectively insulated from theshaft.

The disk 54 is disposed with the ring 56 of the sheath and the ring 51of the conductor concentric and in contact, while the periphery of thedisk 54 is in contact with the spring contact 43.

With this construction, a switch having but a single point of make andbreak is provided, and all parts forming the switch may be convenientlygrouped near one leg 21 of the frame, from which it is insulated by thesheet 52. At the same time the switch is spaced from the leg 22 asufficient distance to obviate the necessity of special insulation.

It will be seen that when the spring contact 43 engages a tooth coveredby the sheath 55 a circuit is completed from the terminal strip 39through the contact 43, the sheath 55 and the conductor 48, then throughthe lamp turned into the socket, the shell 31 and the strip 36. Aquarter of a turn of the disk 54 positions an uncovered tooth inengagement with the spring contact 43 and thus breaks the circuit.

To avoid accidental closing of the circuit by engagement of the ring 56and the spring contact 43 when the latter is in engagement with anuncovered tooth, a specially shaped washer 58 (Fig. 1l) is positionedbetween the disk 54 and the sheath 55. As may be seen from said figure,the washer is circular in outline and of a diameter larger than themaximum diameter of the disk 54. Two quarters of the washer 58 are cutto conform to thev shape of the disk teeth, thus permitting the sheath55 to be slipped over the washer and onto the disk, the washer beingheld thereby against rotation relative to the disk. The other twoquarters, being normal, project radially well beyond the disk 54 andthus prevent contact between the ring and the spring contact.

The disk 54 is rotated in the present instance through a ratchetconnection, by an oscillatory member 59 carrying a pull-chain 60. Forthis purpose, the disk is formed with a pair of diametrically oppositeholes 61 which receive prongs 62 projecting from a metal disk 63 (Fig.12) formed with a pair of diametrical slots 64 at right angles to eachother. The metal disk 63 when assembled with the toothed disk 54 thusforms one part of a ratchet connection rotating the disk.

The other part of the ratchet connection is formed on the oscillatorymember 59 which comprises a segment 65 which supports the pullchain 60and a tubular portion 66 rotatable on the shaft 53 and terminating inratchet teeth 67 for engaging the slots in the disk 63.

To insure that the pull-chain will not contact with any part of theelectric circuit, the tubular `portion 66 of the oscillatory member ismade longer than the distance between the disk 54 ber 59.

imanes 3` and the leg "2'2 tnerebyensuimg the ehainasp porting segment'65 tobe positioned exteriorly of the space between the legs. Theleg 22is `apertured topermit-the tubular portion `66 to project therethroughandmay,if desired, form aibearing for the oscillatory member. `Thepull-chain 60 is also guided by passing through anaper` ture 68 in theprojecting portion of the `web 124. With the electriccircuitconcentrated near the leg 21, and the chain mounted outside ofthe leg 22 all 4possibility of contactbetween thchain and the electriccircuit is eliminated.

For convenience in assembling the pull-chain socket, theshaft 53,`supporting the rotaryswitch member and theoscillatory member 59, isprefer# ably a floating shaft having shouldered ends, one journaled inthe leg 21 while the `other projects through the leg 22 and isjournaled`in a bracket 69 riveted to the outside of vthe leg.` By the use of afloating shaft 4all parts may iii-st "be positioned and the shaftl then`inserted and *held against lateral movement bythe bracket69. It alsoprovides for a simple construction resulting in a two bearingsupport forthe shaft.

In addition to providing a bearing for the shaft 53, the bracket 69serves as a shield for `the segment protecting itagainst any bindingvaction on the part of the candle-simulating tube 26 slid over thesocket, and also as an abutment for arresting'the movements oftheoscillating mem- Eorthispurpose the `bracket 69 has a lug 'l0projecting4 intothe path of the oscillating segment 65 intermediate itsends.` In the normal positionof the oscillatory member`59 (see Fig. 2)the end to which the pullfchain is attached abuts the lugs 70 therebylimiting rotation in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in thatfigure. The member 59 is `urged to normal `position by a torsionspring'71attached at one end to the free end ofthe segment 65 (see Figs;2 and 5) and anchoredat the lother end on the lug 70 of the bracket.This spring also acts in compression between `the bracket 69 and theoscillating member `59 to `'yieldably retain the teeth'? in engagementwith the disk 63.

To advance the switch member to make or breakthe circuit, the member 59is oscillated by means of the pull-*chain tothe position shown 5 inwhichiposition` the 'free end of the segment abuts` the lug '70. Thedegree of rotation isdetermined by thesize of the segment 65 which ishere made slightly longerthan asemtcircle. The permissiblertation'isfthus less-'than 180` and permits the switch member to be adivanced by one tooth only. This insures that each operation of thepull-chain will cause only a making or a breaking of the circuit and notboth in the same operation.

I claim as my invention:

1. A pull-chain socket comprising, in combination, a lamp-receivingshell, a pair of spaced legs supporting said shell, a switch memberrotatably mounted between said legs, and an oscillatory actuating membercomprising an elongated tubular portion having a ratchet connection withsaid switch member and projecting through one of said legs, and a chainsupporting segment rigid with the projecting end of said tubularportion.

2. A pull-chain socket comprising, in combination, a lamp-receivingshell, a pair of spaced legs supporting said shell, switch mechanismmounted between said legs, an oscillatory actuating means locatedoutside of said legs and having a portion projecting through one of`said legs into engagement with said mechanism, and a bracket secured tosaid last mentioned leg forming a shield for said actuating means. e y y3: A pull-chain socketcomprising, in combination, `a lamp-receivingshell, a pair of spaced legs supporting said shell, a rotary switchpositioned between said legspswitch-actuating means positionedexteriorly ofv said legs and projecting `through one of said legs intoengagement with said switch, a bracket secured to said last mentionedleg forming a shield for saidswitch-actuating means, and a oatingshaftsupporting said switch and said actuating means journaled atene `end insaid bracket and at the other en in the remote leg. f 4. A pul1`-chainsocket comprising, in combination, a lamp-receiving shell, a pair ofspacedlegs supporting saidshell, a bracket secured to the outside of oneof said legs, a rotary switch mounted between saidiegs, an oscillatingswitch-aotuating member having a segmental chain supporting `portionpositioned between said bracket and said leg and a tubular portionjournaled in said leg'having a ratchet engagement with said switchpa lugon said bracket limiting the rotal tional movement of said actuatingmember, and a torsion spring acting in compression between said bracketand said member to retain it in engagement with said switch, said springhaving one end attached to said segmental portion and the other endanchored to said lug.

5: A switching electric lamp socket comprising,

-in combination, a lamp-receiving shell, a metallic frame supportingsaidshell, said frame and said shell being insulated from each other, acenter contact for said shell `insulated therefroinand 'having an armextending within said `frame, a

conducting strip in contact with said shell but insulated from saidframe and having at its terminus `a wire receiving terminal, a secondwire terminal having a spring contact projecting into the spacewithinsaid frame, and a movable switch member insulated from said frame andinterposed `between 4said arm and said' spring contact.

' 6.` electric lamp socket having a shell, an elongated metallic framehaving the shell secured to one end in insulated relation thereto, saidframe having a vpair of spaced parallel legs, a shaft mounted in saidlegs parallel to the base of the shell, wire 'terminals onesecured tothe'shell and the other mounted on the frame but insulated therefrom, aconductorforming the" `center contact of the shell,` a second conductorsecured to the terminal on the frame, and a rotary switch member on saidshaft insulated'therefrom and adapted to coact with said conductors.

7. An electric lamp socket comprising, incombination, a lamp-receivingshell, a metallic frame supporting said shell but insulated therefrom,conducting means including a switch insulated from the frame and mountedwithin the space defined by the frame and forming with said shell theelectric circuit of said socket, and means for actuating said switchmounted in spaced relation to the conducting means.

8. A pull-chain socket comprising, in combination, a lamp-receivingshell, a pair of spaced legs supporting said shell, a web rigidlyconnecting the free ends of said legs, said web projecting outwardlybeyond said legs, a wire terminal supported by said web, a rotary switchmember coacting with said terminal, an oscillatory switch actuatingmember located exteriorly of the space between said legs and projectingthrough one of said legs into engagement with said rotary member, and apull-chain attached to said actuating member `and guided by a portionoff-said web projecting beyond said legs.

9. A lamp socket comprising, in combination, a lamp-receiving shell, apair of spaced metallic legs supporting said shell but insulatedtherefrom, a center contact for said shellhaving an arm projectingbetween said legs parallel with the plane thereof, a rotary switchmember mounted on an axis extending transversely of said legs, saidswitch member being in continuous engagement with said arm, a wireterminal having a spring contact engaging the periphery of said switchmember, and a sheet of insulation interposed between said arm and one ofsaid legs.

10. A lamp socketof the shell contact type comprising, in combination, alamp-receiving shell, a pair of spaced legs supporting said shell, ashaft supported between said legs, a toothed insulating disk on saidshaft, a conducting-sheath for said disk comprising an annular ring andanged segments at right angles thereto covering the peripheral faces ofalternate teeth, a spring contact in engagement with the periphery ofsaid disk, and a center contact for said socket having an annular ringencircling the shaftin continuous engagement with said sheath, both ofsaid rings being out of contact with said shaft.

11. l An electric lamp socket comprising, in combination, alamp-receiving shell, a frame supporting said shell, a toothedinsulating disk rotatably mounted in said frame, a conducting sheath forsaid disk having portions covering the peripheral surfaces of alternateteeth, a spring contactengaging the periphery of said disk to formtherewith a switch for the circuit of the socket, and an insulatingwasher interposed between said sheath and said disk having alternateportions corresponding in contour to the shape of the teeth, the otherportions being positioned opposite the uncovered teeth and projectingradially beyond the teeth to prevent contact between said sheath andsaid spring contact.

n l2. An electric lamp socket comprising, in combination, alamp-receiving shell, a frame supporting said shell, a toothedinsulating disk rotatably mounted in said frame, a conducting sheath forsaid disk having an annularfring portion and segmental portions`covering the peripheral surfaces of alternate teeth, a spring contactengaging the periphery of said disk to form therewith a. switch for thecircuit of the socket, and an insulating washer interposed between saidannular ring and said disk having portions placed opposite the uncoveredteeth, which portions project radially. beyond the periphery of saiddisk to prevent contact between said ring and said spring contact.

v 13. An electric lamp socket comprising, in combination, alamp-receiving shell, a metallic frame supporting said shell ininsulated relation, an electric circuit for said socket whollyindependent of said frame, said circuit including said shell, conductingstrips and a movable conducting member forming with said strips a switchfor the circuit, each of said strips and member being fully insulatedfrom said frame, switch actuating means mounted on said frame andoperatively connected with said movable member, and a member 'ofinsulating material interposed between said switch actuating means andsaid movable conducting member to complete the insulatingof the electriccircuit from said frame and. said switch actuating means.

14. An electric lamp socket comprising, in combination, a lamp-receivingshell, a metallic frame supporting said shell in insulated relation,said frame beingk adapted to bemounted directly on a metallic supportingconduit or the like, an electric circuit for said socket whollyindependent of said frame, said circuit including said shell, conductingstrips and a movable conducting member forming with said strips a switchfor the circuit, switch actuating means mounted on said frame includinga metallic pull chain extending along said frame and having an operativeconnection with said member, -and a member of insulating materialinterposed between said switch actuating means and said movableconducting member, said conducting strips and movable member beingcompletely insulated from said metallic frame to form with said shell anelectric circuit wholly independent of said frame.

15. A vpull chain socket comprising, in combination, a lamp-receivingshell, a pair of laterally spaced legs supporting said shell, a rotaryswitch positioned between said legs, oscillatory actuating means forsaid switch positioned outside of said legs, a shaft supporting saidactuating means and rotatably supporting said switch and having reducedend portions, the leg adjacent said oscillatory actuating means havingan aperture permitting the endwise insertion of said shaft therethrough,and a bracket secured to the outside of said lasty mentioned legreceiving the A reduced portion of one end of said shaft, the reducedportion ofthe other end of said shaft terminating in the remote leg.

f KARL K. NIELSEN.

